Endless printing sleeve, of multi-layer type, which has a printing layer, a compressible layer and a circumferential stiffening layer

Abstract

A printing sleeve with multiple layers including a printing layer, a compressible layer, and a circumferential stiffening layer. The stiffening layer is located between the compressible layer and the printing layer.

1 . A printing sleeve comprising a printing layer, a compressible layer, and a circumferential stiffening layer, wherein the stiffening layer is located between the compressible layer and printing layer.  
   
   
       2 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 1 , including, on a radially internal surface of the compressible layer, a removal facilitating layer.  
   
   
       3 . The sleeve according to  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential stiffening layer is a reinforcing layer on the compressible layer.  
   
   
       4 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing layer has reinforcing elements in the form of one of fibers, wires, a knit, a fabric, and a screen in a matrix of a thermosetting or a thermoplastic polymer.  
   
   
       5 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing elements have a single directional arrangement and are oriented generally circumferentially.  
   
   
       6 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 4 , wherein the matrix is 20-80 wt % of the reinforcing layer, and the reinforcing elements are 80-20 wt % of the reinforcing layer.  
   
   
       7 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing elements are selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, high modulus polyester, and aramide.  
   
   
       8 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing layer has a thickness between 0.2-0.5 mm.  
   
   
       9 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing layer has a Young's modulus in the circumferential direction between 400-100,000 MPa.  
   
   
       10 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 4 , wherein the matrix of the reinforcing layer has a Young's modulus between 50-1000 MPa.  
   
   
       11 . The printing sleeve according to one of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing layer has an elongation at breakage in a circumferential direction of the reinforcing layer greater than 1.2%.  
   
   
       12 . The printing sleeve according  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing layer has a Young's modulus in a radial direction between 50-500 MPa.  
   
   
       13 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing layer has a Young's modulus in a direction parallel to an axis of the reinforcing layer greater than 100 MPa.  
   
   
       14 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the compressible layer is an elastomer base containing microspheres and at least one expansion agent.  
   
   
       15 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 14 , wherein the compressible layer includes one uniform layer or several superposed under-layers of different compressibilities.  
   
   
       16 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 14 , wherein the compressible layer is produced by one of coating, spraying, and spray gunning of the elastomer base dissolved in a solvent.  
   
   
       17 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 14 , wherein the elastomer base is an endless layer of a sheet rolled on itself or in a helicoidal strip.  
   
   
       18 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 14 , wherein the compressible layer is molded and calibrated in thickness on a removal facilitating film.  
   
   
       19 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 14 , wherein the compressible layer is molded and rectified after expansion.  
   
   
       20 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer is one of an elastomeric and plastic polymer.  
   
   
       21 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer is produced during the manufacturing of the sleeve by applying one of a gel coat a and paint on a peripheral surface after a removal facilitating agent has been applied.  
   
   
       22 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer is a heat-shrinkable tube.  
   
   
       23 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer is an electrostatically or thermally projected layer of a powder.  
   
   
       24 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer is sufficiently smooth to promote slipping of the sleeve off and on a support sleeve.  
   
   
       25 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer has a modulus of 5-800 MPa, a thickness of 0.02-0.1 mm, and a surface with an Ra factor less than 0.5 microns.  
   
   
       26 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal facilitating layer has a friction coefficient on steel or on composite resin between 0.2-0.5.  
   
   
       27 . The printing sleeve according to  claim 1 , wherein the printing layer has a thickness less than 0.5 mm.